Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 42684, David Dunham, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Dunham, David
S. 42684
CONTENTS

4,005
New York
✓ David Dunham Capt Jenkins private.
Massachusetts Line.
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 23 rd of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th of Oct 1818 and sent to Mr. Kingsbury Esq. Trumansburg, N.Y.
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818. 4 mo. 19/30 35.20 semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 th Mar 1819. 48.00
Bureau  $83.20
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
( Three years 1777- )
✓ Callahan Mass  Tompkins Co.

Republican Nat May 10 th 1821, Scarsdale 2 nd trip to New York
Matt John Sam Sam Sam
1821

Rec d 2 o Jan. 1827
David Dunham, for transfer.
Resident, Meadville, Pa
St. John's Washington City
It is intended to be of the kind

It meant to be transferred
Rec d 2 o Jan. 1827
to the Rabid Lunkum? for transfer
Rev. Mr. Mosesville, Pa
J. Barbour Secretary at War Washington City

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
County of Crawford 88. State of Pennsylvania
On this Eleventh day of September 182 6 , before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Crawford personally appeared David Dunham who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Sturdivant — in the regiment commanded by Colonel Brewer — in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of New York — from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the state (district, or territory,) of — Pennsylvania where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future; and that his reasons for removing to the state of Pennsylvania was on acct of his children being there Sworn and subscribed to, before } me, the day and year aforesaid. }
William Lury & David Dunham
NOTES.—The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer, setting forth that the person taking the testimony is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
The pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity. The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit. The magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity. This oath must also have the authentication as above required.

State of Pennsylvania }
Crawford County ss }
on this 11 th day of September
1826 before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the Said County of Crawford personally appeared Joseph L. Chase to me well known and who I do certify to be a person of veracity who on his solemn oath deposes and says that he is well acquainted with the said David Dunham whose name is subscribed to the foregoing application for a transfer and has been for several years past and that he knows him to be the same person described the affidavit herunto annexed —
Sworne and subscribed before me the day and year above mentioned —
Joseph L. Chase
William Lurry
J.P.
Crawford County ss
I James Cochran Brotherton, of the Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania do certify, that William Lurry Esq. before & by whom, the above probate was made and taken, was at the time of taking the same and now is, a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, And that full faith and credit are due to his acts as such — In Witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said Court of Common Pleas and set my own name this 20 th Day of September A.D. 1826
James Cochran Brotherton

David Dunham 23 April
Concord Mass
Genl Kingsbury Esq
Tremont St N.Y.

State of New York } To the Hon. the Secretary for the Department of War } I, of the County of ... }
On the twenty third day of April eighteen hundred and eighteen, before me Thomas White one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga and State of New York, personally appeared David Dunham, resident in Albany in said County who being by me first duly sworn according to law, cloth on his oath say and make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision of the late act of Congress entitled, an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war: "That he the said David Dunham entered, in January seventeen hundred and seventy seven, in the State of Massachusetts, into Captain Jenkins' company, in Col. Samuel Brewer's Regiment of the Massachusetts Line, that he continued to serve in said Regt until in January seventeen hundred and eighty, when he was discharged at Fishkill in the State of New York; that he was in the battle of Still Water, at the taking of Burgoyne, that it is not in his power, at this time to furnish any additional evidence of his said service; and that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for support."  Sworn and declared to before me the day and year aforesaid. Thomas White
I Thomas White a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga and State of New York, do certify that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said David Dunham did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the foregoing declaration against

The common enemy - and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and now before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the aforementioned act of Congress. April 23 d 1818 Thomas White
To Thomas White Judge as aforesaid do further certify that the within named David Dunham is in indigent circumst- ances, and needs the assistance of his country for support Thomas White Oct 16 th 1818

State of New York Tompkins County Clerk's office ss. S. Archer Green clerk of said County do hereby certify that Thomas White Esq. was before me on the twenty third day of April Instant, an acting Judge of the Court of Common pleas in & for the said County, and that he has subscribed to the within annexed Certificate a Affidavit in of his own proper hand writing
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal the said Court this Thirtieth day April 1818.
Archer Green Clerk

David Dunham
4.025
March 10/19
End.
on. J.P.E.
George P. Frost Esq. Ithaca N. York

State of New York §
Tompkins County ss. On this 25 th day of January 1821. personally appeared in Open court, being a Court of Common Pleas, held in and for the said County, in said State, constituted a court of Record by the laws of said State, with power to hear try and determine all actions real personal and mixed arising in the said county, and also all transitory actions although the same may not have arisen within the said County, and with other powers. David Dunham, aged sixty two Years the second day of last October resident in the town of Ulysses in the said County, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, That he enlisted in the town Sheffield in the county of Berkshire in the State of Massachusetts, into the company commanded by Captain Jenkins, of the Infantry, in Col. Brewster Regt. in the line of the State of Massachusetts, in the Month of February, A.D. 1776. for three Years, that he served the said three Years and was discharged at Fishkill in the State of New York, that he made his declaration to obtain his pension on the twenty third day of April One thousand eight hundred and Eighteen. His pension certificate is Number 4,005. and dated the twenty ninth day of October 1818. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818. and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any thereof, with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" passed on the 18 th day of March 1818. and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property, or securities, contracts or debts due me, nor have I any other income than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed. and by me subscribed. That he has a wife and one grand child. their names and ages are as follows. His wife's name is Phebe aged sixty Years, and is very weakly and subject to epileptic fits. and is unable to do business. His Grand daughter's name is Mariah Dennis and is

A Schedule of the property of David Dunham of the town of Ulysses, in the County of Tompkins a Revolutionary Pensioner taken January 25 th 1821 —
Real Estate none,
   1. Beancan, 1 Looking Glass, some old crockery $12.00   1. Square table. 5. Common chairs - 1 pot 3.00   1. Dish Kettle. 1 Broken Skillet 1.25   1. Old Butter pax. broken without cover 00.25   1. Stand Broken, 1 Trencher - 1 Shovel 2.12   1. Wooden clock without case & old 4.00   1. Old broken chest of drawers 1.00   2. Cows, 1 year old Small Bull 25.00   1. Spring calf - 1. Mare & 5. Young old 7.50   10. Sheep, $12. . 1 Horse plow $1.50 13.50   1. Old Saddle & bridle 2.50   1. Old sythe, 1 old axe, 2. Old ax heads 2.50   1. pair of Bells Rings, 1. chums, 3. pails 2.00   2. Milk pangs. 5 Knives and forks, 2. pitch forks - 2.00   1. Dung fork - 3 Shoals 4 months old 3.50   2. Old Spinning wheels 2.00   1. Sinker Sleigh & harness 30.00   Debts due to me not to exceed 25.00   139 12  
David Dunham
Valued at $140

about nine years old - he is by occupation a laborer, he feels unable to support himself without the aid that pension.
Sworn & declared to before me the day and year aforesaid in open court }
David Dunham
John Ellis, one of the judges of Tompkins County, Common Pleas

State of New York Tompkins County ss.
George P. Frost, Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath and the Schedule hereto annexed are truly copied from the Records of said Court. And that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is One Hun- dred and forty Dollars.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 5 th Day of February 1821.
Geo. P. Frost Deputy Clerk

42684
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 42,684
David Dunham
Rev Rev Rev
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8, Page 143
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Pennsylvania New York.
David Dunham, Private, $8 per mo. Rev.
Placed on roll 29 Oct. 1818. Continued (under act 1 May. 1820) 16 May 1821.
Suspended in consequence of a caveat - Suspension removed March 31. 1826. See letter to Hon. S. D. Ingham, H. R.
David Dunham resides in Pennsylvania at present. He has been informed of the propriety of getting his name transferred.
Transferred to Pennsylvania 4 th Jan: 1827.

Dear Lee letters to S. Bishop & Agent March 17. 1872

Hele 31 mar 26
Dear Sir
I send you a letter just now from Mr Alden, the President of the Middle College. in relation to the case of Danham — and will say the favour of you if there should be any doubt as to his right to the position, to suspend a decision till I can see you which will be at an early day yours &c T D Hylton

Gen. Morris.
Stevenson and
Ingraham
Members of Congress
Washington D. C.

Hon. Messrs. Stevenson and Ingham M.H. Congress. Meadville, Penn. 8 March, 1826.
Gentlemen,
In consequence of the death of my late worthy son-in-law, the Hon. Patrick Farrelly, I take the liberty to enclose to your kind care certain papers in reference to David Dunham, a revolutionary soldier and formerly on the pension list.
These papers were put into the hands of Mr. Farrelly, several weeks before he left Meadville for the seat of government. He was there so fully possessed of his ability to resume his place in congress, that he did not think it expedient to forward the papers by mail, stating to me that on his arrival at Washington "he should be able to have the "pension renewed and the money paid from the time of the suspension of the pension". The all-wise Providence saw fit to call him from the labours of life, while at Pittsburgh. The box containing these documents and other articles belonging to Mr. Farrelly, by some inadvertence, was not brought from Pittsburgh to Meadville till this week. I mention these circumstances to show the reason why a more prompt attention has not been given relative to a subject very interesting to a worthy and suffering family.
It is not stated in the accompanying documents; yet it ought to be known that the aged and estimable wife of Mr. Dunham has for a

considerable period been subject to fits, which require the constant attention of some one - Otherwise, she would fall into the fire, or, otherwise in some other way sustain injury. Mr. Dunham is far advanced into the vale of years and is really in serious want of aid which his children cannot afford. The depositions I believe are worthy of full credence in all their extent - The principle, which could take the pitiful amount pointed to the poor old soldier tottering on the brink of the grave - with a helpless aged bosom friend, is such, and is to be hoped, for the honour of human nature, may never again operate in this cruel, unchristian, diabolical manner in reference to any, who were the instruments, in the hand of God, of receiving the blessing of freedom and independence to the U. States.
I am personally acquainted with Mr. Cornwall, brother by marriage to the Hon. James L. Mitchell, M.P. of New York, and with Aaron Benedict, Esq. and believe them worthy of inheriting regard as to every thing they have said and done in reference to their neighbours, Mr. Dunham. Mr. Benedict is known to the Hon. Mr. Miller from Cortlandt county in the state of New York, M. Congress, who will, if requested, state his opinion of his character.
Permit me, Gentleman, respectfully to urge your immediate attention to the cause of humanity, and justice in the case of the suffering David Dunham and believe me to be your respectful humble servant Timothy Alden

P.S. Communications for David Dunham if directed for the Post Office at Oil Creek , though in Crawford County, will reach him sooner than if sent to the post offices in Venan- so County, as Mr. Dunham lives in that part of Venango, which is near the Oil Creek Post Office in Crawford County.
T. A.

Dr. Mr. Chambers 21 Mar.
Sir
I enclose your former papers in relation to the restoration of a Pension to the Lib. — The affidavits appear to have been made by persons entitled to credit the latter members of Congress from N. York being generally acquainted with some of them have annexed a certificate to the Elders who write to the Presbytery and myself in a highly unwholesome whistling of Madville, the President of the college at that place — I think it must be certain that some misrepresentation must have occasioned the suspension of his pension —
very respectfully yours
J. D. Dyer

HeadsVille Pa 23 March 1861.
Hon. Messrs.
Stevenson and Ingham Members of Congress from Pennsylvania
Washington D. Col.

Hon M c Mo s .
Stevenson and Ingraham
M c Donough, 21 March, 1826
Gentlemen,
I take the liberty some days since to enclose to your kind care certain documents in reference to David Dunham - a pensioner of the revolutionary army - I did not know at the time of writing I enclose other affidavits, which were forwarded to the proper department in relation to the same subject - Mr. Edwards will, no doubt, give access to them if needed -
The principal reason for my now writing is to state that the bond, belonging to the children of Mr. Dunham, although paid for cannot be held - The person I whom prochoral, Mr. Jerome, by misfortunes has failed - and is utterly unable to substantiate their title - which renders the situation of the old soldier more painful from the inability of his children to do any thing of importance

for the better -
Another idea, if not communicated in any other way is of some importance to a soldier, one of the unkind creatures in the form of a human being, who based himself in writing from the poor soldier the hardly earned and greatly needed pension - is a man whose memorial is of little worth, as will be readily admitted, when known, that, in the state of New York, for passing counterfeit money he was arrested, imprisoned, and would have been when it would have been out of his power to get the poor soldier of his living if justice had been done - He broke from prison before trial and absconded into Peru, and though 30 doll. was said, were offered for him, none have as yet thought proper to take the trouble of conveying him back to the court of justice in N. York state. The statements of such a man ought certainly not to weigh much when with evident malice aimed at the ruin of a poor but deserving soldier.

Excuse the liberty of this address and permit me once more to hope with all due respect your friendly attention to the situation of one who is in a painful situation
Your respectful W.H.C.
Timothy Allen

Free The Hon. J. C. Calhoun Secretary of War at
Berry Penang County Penn L 14 th March
Washington City Pendleton
Recd 15 Mar 1850 J. C. Calhoun

The Hon. J. C. Calhoun Force Secretary of War at W. Black  Washington City Pendleton Recd 18 March 1845  J. H. 
Berry Penang County Penna L. 14th March

Albany February 20th 1825
To the Honorable the Secretary of War
After our compliments to you we would address you upon a subject which we consider our indispensable duty to inform you of. That is respecting a certain David Dunham who has previous to this drawn a Pension but has since been stopped. we suppose in consequence of a remonstrance that we with some others wrote in the forepart of last year. we have not received any communications on the subject since. we have been informed that Patrie Gately a Representative in congress from this District stated to you he was not acquainted with any of them that signed the said remonstrance in consequence of it you was led to believe that it was done to trouble Mr. Dunham we would ask if it is likely that Mr. Gately is acquainted with every man for thirty five miles

swam from his Ducking. Permit us to acquaint you with some circumstances respecting his Dunhams property. we believe it can be prove en that in the winter or spring of 1820 Dunham swamped one hundred & thirty acres of land in Mahous With Horace Jerome of the former town or State of New York, for more than two hun- dred acres in this place. besides he had con- siderable moveable property. There is a man lives in this place who says he was present when Dunham finished the contract with Jerome saw him sign the Deed to Jerome It can be proven that Dunhams youngest son who now pretends to hold the property has stated unumber of times that this prop- erty was his fathers & that he was obliged to swap his land away as he did in order to get his pension established We be sincere- ly stat that it is not from malice or ill- will to Dunham that we are induced to remonstrate against him but believe- ing as we do that he is unjustly obtain-

ing the benefit of the act of Congress passed for the relief of indigent soldiers. The old mans children are all married & in circumstances able to suppo- rt them selves. him & his wife are as able to labor as most people of their age. If Mr Dunham is legally entitled to a Pension we have no objections But we hate to see him scandalously trampling the law under his feet. We wish you to write to us immediately on the subject Please to give us an official copy of Dun- ham's - like wise a copy of the defence he has made since his Pension has been stopped. Also the names of those who signed his petition that we can be able to rebut it
G B Dunham has received one hundred Dollars of Jerome this spring for the land he sold him in the state of New York as has the pension office since hundred more
Soon we are informed that his son who went to Jerome for the money told him he wanted one hundred dollars for his father to go to Washington to get his Pension renewed we say it can be proven that his land in the state of New York was valued at more than one thousand dollars
Yours Most Lewis Moore

Rob Creek Penn July 17 th 1825
J. L. Edwards Esq r
Sir In your letter of the 14 th Ul t you say that "my case is involved in so much doubt that you think that a favourable decision cannot be had without a departure from the rules & c o " whilst there doubts are you have not thought it proper to mention the facts as they really are and that I have been injured by individuals in a State - ment to you which is false & misleads the prominent features of which are that I had enlarged property in the State of New York for a valuable farm here well stocked and improved which is false and I think it would be but justice to have the same

thoroughly investigated and it would afford me pleasure & in attending to any person whom you might think proper to appoint for that purpose. I shall only further observe that I have heard that one William Goodrich is the principal opponent to my claim a fellow that escaped from a jail in the State of New York where he had been confined for passing counterfeit money and for whom a reward is offered such mercenaries as this deserve only contempt all I want is the truth and justice
I am Sir Your Obedient Servant David Rankin

Bib Creek Penn May 25 th 1825
J. L. Edwards Esq r
Sir In agreeable to your letter of April last I wrote to Horace Jerome a resident of the State of New York and in answer received the accompanying affidavit which I think confirms all former statements
As I am anxious respecting the issue of my case I would respectfully request your attention to the same as soon as practicable I am Sir
Your most Obedient Serv t
David Dinker

Oak Creek Penn. January 16 th 1825
S. L. Edwards Esq r
In answer to your letter of November last I have to state that that since its receipt I have received an account of the vouchers having been received in your office by a gentleman recently arrived here from Washington & to whom I had given instructions to make personal inquiry respecting my case as I am very anxious respecting the issue I would respectfully request your attention as soon as practicable
I am Sir your Obedient Servant David Denham

In the matter of David Cunham Penuiner
It seems that

State of New York Tompkins County
Horan Jerome being duly sworn saith that some time in the year eighteen hundred and twelve he contracted with one Sylvester Dunham son of David Dunham for a certain piece of land on Lot Number 27 Ulster in the then County of Seneca Now Tompkins containing about 180 acres for which he was to pay him four dollars or there about per acre in pursuance of which contract the said Sylvester went into possession of said land and made some improve- ments about which time David Dunham lost the farm which he then owned in the Town of Hading in the County of Onondaga & State of New York by reason of bad title and came out to the Town of Ulster on to the piece of land which Sylvester his son had purchased of the said Horan Jerome and Sylvester agreed to give up the land and what he had paid which was about two hundred dollars to David Dunham for his benefit and the rest of the family of the said David and for them to fulfill the contract which he had made with the said Horan Jerome and the said David and his sons to wit Ruben Dunham & Edwin Dunham went into possession of said piece of land and made some considerable further improve- ments and finding themselves unable to pay for the whole of it gave back by agreement to the said Horan about sixty acres of said land and after that the said Horan tendered to the said David the remainder and took from him a Mortgage for what remained due on which he the said David & the said Ruben & Edwin Dunham considered made some payment and it was at the time of giving the Mortgage that the said Ruben Dunham & Edwin Dunham were to help help pay for the land and have their part of

of it and the said Ruben was to have fifty acres and it was divided off to him and he went into possession of it Made improvements and the said Edwin was to have the remainder and live with and take care of his father and Mother and they so continued to occupy their separate parts until 1819 when they were sever'd with an a declaration in ejectment at the suit of the people of the State of New York at which time there was a compromise took place between the said David Ruben & Edwin Dunham and the said Horace Jerome wherein the said Horace Jerome gave up the Mortgage to the said David then there being due on it something over three hundred dollars and assigned an article to the said David which he had from the agent of the Holland Land company for a piece of land in Tiadanga County in Pennsylvania on which there was nothing paid - and also deded the Right and title of Land Shattuck Gard Park and the said Horace to the said David of about 280 acres of land in the Township of Allegany in the County of Tiadanga & State of Pennsylvania on which there was no improvement and which was under a Mortgage to the Holland Land Company of two dollars per acre and some years interest and at the time of said deed the said David Dunham decided to Ruben & Edwin Dunham in pursuance of their former agreement respecting the land in the State of New York then the land which was in Pennsylvania and the Mortgage on said land This deponent understands and very likely has not been paid and this deponent further saith that he has never been an agent of the Holland Land company

But that he was the agent of Lord Shattuck and Gad Pike and a partner of them in a tract of land which was purchased of the Holland Land Company and mortgaged for two dollars per acre of which the 280, acres claimed by him to David Dunham was a part and further this Deponent saith not
Sworn this 10th day of May 1825.
Before me Henry A. Benton a Commissioner of Amphi's County
H. Benton

State of Pennsylvania) Before me James Allender one County of Venango } of the Justices of the peace in August 3 rd 1824 } and for said county personally appeared Aaron Benidick Egan who being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that he had been well acquainted with David Dunham a Revolutionary pensioner died the the year 1798 as also the amount of property which he possessed the said David Dunham owned a valuable farm in the County of Onondaga State of New York and about the year 1814 was dispossessed his title being bad and had no other property left except some moveables his oldest son (David Dunham) then went into Tompkins County State of New York and there contracted with one Horace Jerome for a tract of land about one hundred acres to which place the family removed and about the year 1819 the State of New York issued a writ of ejectment against the said David Dunham a compromise was then entered into with the aforesaid Horace Jerome in which the said David Dunham was to receive Two Hundred and eighty eight acres of wild or uncultivated land in the State of Pennsylvania as a compensation for the amount of purchase money which the said David Dunham had paid the aforesaid - said Horace Jerome for the farm in Tompkins county state of New York and farther

I have no knowledge myself of Mr. Garrison having the Pennsylvanian, but I am personally acquainted with Mr. Wendell who is a very respectable man, and held in high repute.
Pat. T. Gandy
Dec 16 th 1896

that there was not the least improvement made on the land which the said David Dunham received in the County of Venango State of Pennsylvania and further the Deponent removed from the State of New York into the State of Pennsylvania in company with the said David Dunham and has ever since lived his neighbour that he is well acquainted with the situation of his business and that it is his firm belief that his interest in the aforesaid two hundred and eighty acres in this county is not worth one cent as there is a mortgage of two dollars per acre with interest since 1819 which it is his opinion that the aforesaid Horace Jerome never will pay and which is no doubt a great deal more than the land is actually worth and further that the said David Dunham now lives with one of his sons to whom as he understands the interest of the (David Dunham) of the land is given in consideration of his being the taking care of him and his wife who is helpless being subject to fits that the aforesaid David Dunham is at present in indigent circumstances and could not support himself or his wife without assistance as the whole of his property should not support him six months and further saith not 5 Aaron Benedict James Allen Deponent the Deponent

State of Pennsylvania Venango County S
I Andrew Bowman Prothonotary of the the Court of common pleas of said Coun- ty do hereby certify that James Allen der of Allegheny Township is a Jus- tice of the peace duly commissioned and that to all his official acts as such full faith and credit are due, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Franklin this 7 th day of August in the year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred and twenty four
Andrew Bowman Protho

Honourable Sir Col. Lord Byron of War
We the undersigned being desirous for the just promotion of the interest of the United States do hereby certify that we are personally acquainted with a certain David Dunham formerly of the State of New York now a resident of Venango Co. Pa. whom we believe to be unjustly enjoying the benefits of the Acts of Congress for the relief of indigent revolutionary Soldiers.
We are Confidently assured by unquestionable authority that this man swapped away a valuable farm in the State of New York for one in this place which he holds in his long names this man also possesses in abundance not only necessaries but the luxuries of life He also superintends the whole process of business transacted upon his farm which consists of 200 acres of land with a large improvement well stocked, This man also a short time since purchased another hundred acres of land but being informed that his petition would be stopped he went and plead for a true bar gain had his money refunded and then

Swore he had an independent farm and would have his pension in defiance of any man.
He has lately received 99 dollars of his pension from his agent, in New York - the agent none known by us, we therefore as friends of united = States have considered it our duty to give you information of this man's circumstances.
P.S. his son that pretends to hold the farm was lately served for work done on the place. But the said David Dunbar came forward and said his son had nothing to do with the place more than a child. This man also said he does not believe in future rewards and punishments but as an dog what he will on this earth he would meet with better policy hereafter.
From your obedient servant Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Pa.
February 24th 1824
[Signature]
Attest
Hiram Goodrich Abel West Luther Barnes L. Moore

S. L. Edwards Esq.
Big Creek Pennsylvania August 3 rd
1824 In your letter of March 24 th was not received until the 2 nd Ins: In answer I have only time to state that the representations made to the department is a false and malicious statement the enclosed affidavits will enable you to judge how far they have been governed by truth it is true I owned a farm in conjunction with my sons in the state of New York which was purchased of one Horace Jerome. my Oldest son contracted for it in his own name and paid the first instalments with his own money but afterwards gave up his right of it to me and his brothers my second son had fifty acres for his share and my youngest son was to have the remainder with whom I intended to live This arrangement was made previous to any law granting pensions to revolutionary soldiers and which I could prove was I in the state of New York - after being ejected by the state of New York I accepted in conjunction with my sons a tract of uncultivated land in the county of Venango State of Pennsylvania from Horace Jerome as a compensation for the money advanced and improvements made this land was of no value to me I am too old to begin the world in a wilderness I gave my sons what interest I had in the land and intended to spend the remainder of my days with my youngest this arrangement was also made previous to the Act of congress requiring schedules from

revolutionary soldiers and when that act passed I did not own one foot of land in the world and as to my property previous to that act I be- lieve to refer you to the statement of Mr. Stout, Judge while of the State of New York — What could an old man like me do with wild land; sell it! it would not have brought fifty cents per acre then because I gave my part of it to my youngest son I am to be charged with perjury and imposition I have faced death in my younger years with firmness and resolution but I could not think of encountering the anger of an incensed Deity for the sake of a few years of a best miserable existence, One thing more for the land here we have only the word of a speculating land jobber and my boys never received a deed for any part of it and it is conjectured they never will as it is now five years since the agreement with Jerome and none has been given yet should this turn out to be true the case my prospect would be gloomy indeed my boys without a home and what I receive from Government insufficient to maintain one and a helpless wife who is subject to convul- sions — I beg you to take the whole of the circum- -stances into consideration and I think I shall not hazard much in saying that you will think with me that the representations made to the Department are false and malicious. I have the honour to be
Sir your humble Servant David Dunham

State of Pennsylvania } Before me Venango County Sept. 5 } Aaron Benedict 1825 one of the Justices of the peace in and for said county personally appeared Aspinwall Canwell Joseph McKealand Daniel Richie Robt Shawson and James McKealand who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that they live in the immediate neighbourhood of David Dunham and are acquainted with his circumstances and that it is their opinion that he is unable to support himself or family with- out he receives assistance from his children or others that his property is trifling not amounting to more than an hundred dollars and that they believe that the remonstrance sent to the War Department said to be signed by Thaine Goodrich and others relative to the said David Dunham's drawing a Pension is a gross misrepresentation of facts and as they believe founded in malice
Aspinwall Canwell

Joseph McCallum Daniel Ritchey Robert Shaw James Mansland
Saron Benedict I go I am personally acquainted with the above named Albinwall Cornwall and know him to be a man of integrity John Miller

State of Pennsylvania } County of Venango } August 3 rd 1824 }
Before me Aaron Benidus one of the Justices of the peace in and for said county personally appeared Daniel Rechev who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with the farm which David Dunham owned in Tompkins county state of New York it was a farm of about one hundred acres which he purchased of one Horace Jerome and paid part of the purchase money and that in the year 1819 a writ of Ejectment was issued by the state of New York against the said David Dunham it being land belonging to the state of New York that the aforesaid David Dunham then did enter into a compromise with the aforesaid Horace Jerome in which for the purchase money paid on the aforesaid farm in Tompkins county state of New York the said Horace Jerome (who was then an under agent of the Holland Land company) did agree to give the said David Dunham two hundred and eighty eight acres of wild or uncultivated land in Venango county state of Pennsylvania and that there was no part of the said land in Pennsylvania on which the least improvement was made and further that in the contract between the said David Dunham and the said Horace Jerome a clear and warrantee deed was to be given but said Horace Jerome has never fulfilled his contract with him

paid the Holland land company for said land nor is it believed he ever will pay or give the deed and the said David Dunham has no chain or title for said land unless the said Horace Jerome fulfills his contract and further he the deponent was present immediately after the contract between the said David Dunham and Horace Jerome at which the said David Dunham told his sons that if they would take the land and live on it he would give them his right as he was too old and feeble to undertake to clear said land nor does he think that he David Dunham had any idea of imposing on the government for the purpose of drawing a pension as the land was of no value to him that David Dunham is at present in indigent circumstances with a helpless wife and nothing to defund sup port except for a living except his pension and further saith not Daniel Ridgely Aaron Benedict S P

State of Pennsylvania Venango County ss
I And d Bowman Prothonotary of the court of common pleas of said County do hereby certify that Aaron Benedict of Allegheny Township in said County is a Jus- tice of the peace duly Commissioned and that to all his official acts as such full faith and credit are due, in witness whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Franklin this 10 11 th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four
And d Bowman Proth y

Delivered for restoration to Pennian Lib

State of Pennsylvania ) Before me James Venango County Sept 3 rd 1825 } Allender one of the Justices of peace in and for said county personally appeared Aaron Benedict Esq r who being duly sworn accor- -ding to law doth depose and say that he has been well acquainted with David Dunham for a number of years and that it is his opinion that he is at present in indegent circumstances and unable to support himself or family without assistance and that it is also his opinion that the remonstrance sent to the War Department was a malicious act false and not warranted by facts and farther saith not Aaron Benedict James Allender J.P.
I am personally acquainted and have been for more than twenty years with the above named Aaron Benedict and know him to be a man of the highest integrity and probity and that his word is entitled to all possible credit John Miller